Finally, the 2026 Honda Prelude has a price tag. Unfortunately, that may also be its biggest downfall. Available only in one loaded trim, the Prelude starts at an eye-watering $43,195. That’s around $8,000 more than a Civic Hybrid and just a few thousand less than the legendary Civic Type R! Yes, it shares several components with the latter. These include the Brembo front brakes, dual-axis front suspension, and adaptive dampers. However, even with those bits and the S+ Shift mode, a near $10,000 premium over the more conventional Civic Hybrid seems quite unreasonable.
The 2026 Honda Prelude uses the two-motor hybrid system. That pairs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. Total output stands at 200 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque, the same as the Civic Hybrid. In terms of efficiency, the Prelude has a rating of 46/41/44 mpg city/highway/combined.
To put it simply, you’re getting a hybridized Civic Si Coupe priced closer to a Civic Type R. Even though this costs less than its predecessor when adjusted for inflation, so many great options are available between $30,000 and $50,000. You find a wealth of choices in that price range, including the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota GR86, the closest competitors to the Prelude. All three are RWD too, instead of FWD like the Honda.
In terms of standard equipment, the 2026 Prelude includes the Honda Sensing driver assistance suite, 19-inch alloy wheels, an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, and four drive modes. A 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster and a nine-inch touchscreen also come standard. Honda also revealed that it will offer a range of accessories specifically for the Prelude, including black badges, side mirror covers, and a spoiler. The 2026 Prelude is on sale at Honda dealers now.
Source: Honda
